This is the Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S., a somber reflection on the
sacrifices of soldiers, and the more frivolous unofficial beginning of summer. I
think I am going to *attempt* (note the emphasis) to follow up on an idea I have
entertained for years, which is to have "summer hours" here by trying to post
the second news roundup of the day earlier than normal on Fridays. Since
"normal" can be quite late, this isn't saying much, but the idea is to actually
shoot for "early," so we'll see how that goes.

InBlack wrote on May 23, 2014, 09:40:No Game of Thrones this weekend!! Arghhhh. Apparently out of respect for Memorial Day. (Although I suspect its due to poor ratings while people are busy doing other things and not watching TV). I fail to see the connection but then again Im not American. Is this sort of thing common in the US??

TV series always skip holiday weekends/weeks in the US. Memorial day, especially, is a very heavily traveled weekend, so it's simple true that there are far fewer people left at home to (potentially) watch your show.

Disney has seemed to demonstrate a keen awareness of the Star Wars fatigue many fans felt in the wake of the prequel films, and while the notion of annual standalone films is itself a reason for some concern

Shineyguy wrote on May 23, 2014, 22:28:Hey, from what I've seen of your military while I was deployed to Iraq, you fuckers are goddamned nuts!

If anyone ever tried to invade Canada to take the maple syrup, they'll sadly find that the Canadian "kindness" was a front, and Canadians are truly batshit insane and will tear your head off with their teeth.

No, we have just as many psychos in our military as yours it's just less evident in the US given the size of your military versus ours.

I honestly thin we should do away with ours completely and set up sort of deal that anyone here wanting to military service can do it in the US.

"We choose the right to be who we are. We know the difference between the reality of freedom and the illusion of freedom."

Verno wrote on May 23, 2014, 12:48:Have fun waving at moose while you lament the Maple Leafs and apologize way too often. Canada, dontchayaknow eh?

Dat maple syrup though!

We run from meese. Most of us hate the Maple Laffs. I'm sorry, but we don't apologize way too often. And Vermont maple syrup is better than K-bec maple syrup.

Speaking of which, I only recently learned that the reason maple syrup is so goddamned expensive is that the producers are engaged in criminal collusion. That's right, they actually hoarde the stuff and dole it out in limited amounts like diamonds in order to inflate the value. They actually have a maple syrup reserve of several million gallons. And somehow this is legal. It boggles the mind.

The warehouse, in St-Louis-de-Blandford, 160 kilometres northeast of Montreal, held about 3.4 million litres of bulk maple syrup and is part of a global strategic reserve of the sticky liquid.

Global strategic reserve? Yeah, because in time of war or natural crisis the people NEED maple syrup!

Hey, from what I've seen of your military while I was deployed to Iraq, you fuckers are goddamned nuts!

If anyone ever tried to invade Canada to take the maple syrup, they'll sadly find that the Canadian "kindness" was a front, and Canadians are truly batshit insane and will tear your head off with their teeth.

Creston wrote on May 23, 2014, 11:25:TV series always skip holiday weekends/weeks in the US. Memorial day, especially, is a very heavily traveled weekend, so it's simple true that there are far fewer people left at home to (potentially) watch your show.

Yeah, my DVR is heading down to NC for a golf outing this weekend

TV execs ignore DVR owners, as the DVR owners don't watch commercials in the first place.

Creston wrote on May 23, 2014, 11:25:TV series always skip holiday weekends/weeks in the US. Memorial day, especially, is a very heavily traveled weekend, so it's simple true that there are far fewer people left at home to (potentially) watch your show.

Cutter wrote on May 23, 2014, 14:39:Could you link something about that, Vern. I'm not certain I know what you mean. I wouldn't be surprised however. We get screwed on everything up anyway. Cars, food, booze, we always pay way more. In many ways this country is stuck in the 19th century. I love it, but infuriates the shit of me in so many way. I'm going to have to leave it eventually.

Sure, this article dives into what I was referring to which is apparently becoming very common place up there. Basically suppliers holding retailers hostage through threats of holding back product, giving competitors better pricing and legal intimidation.

I'm in Canada on business a good chunk of the year so I'm always shocked at the difference in prices of various goods. I keep a close eye on my grocery budget especially since my living compensation from work only goes so far, I usually spend almost double up there compared to stocking up in New York, especially if I want fresh produce and decent meat.

Cutter wrote on May 23, 2014, 13:41:We run from meese. Most of us hate the Maple Laffs. I'm sorry, but we don't apologize way too often. And Vermont maple syrup is better than K-bec maple syrup.

Of course, like you I was being silly with stereotypes that aren't reality, many Americans like good beer, don't beat their chest and don't like guns

I'm actually in Canada all the time for business, love Ontario and Saskatchewan. If you think that maple syrup scam is something, do some reading about what companies are doing with price protection in grocery up there. The sad part is thats all legal somehow. I was appalled at some of the prices you guys pay.

Could you link something about that, Vern. I'm not certain I know what you mean. I wouldn't be surprised however. We get screwed on everything up anyway. Cars, food, booze, we always pay way more. In many ways this country is stuck in the 19th century. I love it, but infuriates the shit of me in so many way. I'm going to have to leave it eventually.

"We choose the right to be who we are. We know the difference between the reality of freedom and the illusion of freedom."

Cutter wrote on May 23, 2014, 13:41:We run from meese. Most of us hate the Maple Laffs. I'm sorry, but we don't apologize way too often. And Vermont maple syrup is better than K-bec maple syrup.

Of course, like you I was being silly with stereotypes that aren't reality, many Americans like good beer, don't beat their chest and don't like guns

I'm actually in Canada all the time for business, love Ontario and Saskatchewan. If you think that maple syrup scam is something, do some reading about what companies are doing with price protection in grocery up there. The sad part is thats all legal somehow. I was appalled at some of the prices you guys pay.

Verno wrote on May 23, 2014, 12:48:Have fun waving at moose while you lament the Maple Leafs and apologize way too often. Canada, dontchayaknow eh?

Dat maple syrup though!

We run from meese. Most of us hate the Maple Laffs. I'm sorry, but we don't apologize way too often. And Vermont maple syrup is better than K-bec maple syrup.

Speaking of which, I only recently learned that the reason maple syrup is so goddamned expensive is that the producers are engaged in criminal collusion. That's right, they actually hoarde the stuff and dole it out in limited amounts like diamonds in order to inflate the value. They actually have a maple syrup reserve of several million gallons. And somehow this is legal. It boggles the mind.

Verno wrote on May 23, 2014, 12:48:Have fun waving at moose while you lament the Maple Leafs and apologize way too often. Canada, dontchayaknow eh?

Dat maple syrup though!

We run from meese. Most of us hate the Maple Laffs. I'm sorry, but we don't apologize way too often. And Vermont maple syrup is better than K-bec maple syrup.

Speaking of which, I only recently learned that the reason maple syrup is so goddamned expensive is that the producers are engaged in criminal collusion. That's right, they actually hoarde the stuff and dole it out in limited amounts like diamonds in order to inflate the value. They actually have a maple syrup reserve of several million gallons. And somehow this is legal. It boggles the mind.